Understand the Concept of Electrical Panel Wiring

Electricity is the mainstay of our modern lives. We use a host of appliances in our day to day lives, and almost every single one is dependent on electricity. TV’s, computers, washing machines, fridges, broadband connections, air-conditioners, fans, microwaves and every other machine needs electricity to run. And even though more and more machines are becoming wireless these days, wires and electric panels are still an important part of every household.

What is a Breaker Panel?

Popularly recognized as a fuse board or an electrical panel, a breaker panel is one of the essential constituents of an electricity supply system. Dividing the power feed into auxiliary circuits, the breaker panel does so while providing circuit breaker or protective fuse. Think of it as a big switch that contains other smaller switches. Understanding electrical panel wiring isn’t always that hard if you break it down into smaller components and understand each part’s function. The basic way an electrical panel works is that when a switch is flipped, a current of electrons is conjured up, which then travels along copper wires into our homes and provides electrical energy to our appliances.

Not as Con-Fusing as you think

All houses have breaker panels, but each one has a different size depending on what function it aims to fulfil. Single pole breakers (15 to 20-amps) are sufficient to run lights and electrical outlets. Double pole 30-amp breakers serve water heaters and electrical dryers, 40 and 50-amp serve electrical ranges, while 70-amp breakers are required for an air-conditioner to work. The main panel in a building or a house distributes all its power via individual panels into individual circuits. Then, each individual circuit is run through an electrical box mounted on the wall. This is something that is insisted upon by the National Electric Code in order to make every single connection accessible. In case of an electrical emergency, it is important to have a quick access to every individual circuit and connection.

What to do in case of an Electrical Issue

When facing an electrical issue, it’s best to call an experienced electrician even if you feel like you understand the electrical panel wiring or have some idea of dealing with the problem. If you are living in Fitzroy or any other suburb of Melbourne, you can try calling one through Fitzroy Electrician Services. Avoid any situation where you could potentially be electrocuted. If you touch a hot and neutral conductor (such as the one in the panel) when you shouldn’t, it lets the current complete a circuit through your chest and electrocute you. In the past, electricians used to work with only one hand while keeping the other in their pocket to isolate the current to the nerves of only one hand – this stopped the current from passing through the chest and causing a fatal injury.